To kick off the new year, industry leaders and esteemed colleagues shared their viewpoints on 2018 and beyond with Hydrocarbon Processing. These viewpoints offer insight into growing regions of activity, technological advances, and how the downstream industry can innovate in 2018 and into the future.

Ethane production in North America (NA) has expanded dramatically with the onset of shale production and associated hydraulic fracturing. Ethane concentrations in fractured shale gas are typically 10% or higher vs. a traditional range of 4%–7% in associated gas.

The production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) requires a number of stages to effectively purify the feed gas. These stages are essential to maintain continuous operation and to meet product specifications.

(Reuters) — Petrochemicals company Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC) is considering several possible investments in the United States, while state oil giant Saudi Aramco is looking at gas prospects abroad, Saudi energy minister said on Wednesday.

ABU DHABI—On the opening day of ADIPEC, executives from the LNG sector gathered for a heavy-hitting "C-Suite Dialogues" afternoon panel discussion to answer the question: "What is the future for natural gas and LNG in a low-carbon, low-cost landscape?"

LONDON/SYDNEY (Reuters) — Royal Dutch Shell on Monday sold its entire stake in Australia's largest independent oil and gas company Woodside Petroleum Ltd for $2.7 B as it pushes ahead with its vast disposal program.